These summaries are written by the NCCMT to condense and to provide an overview of the resources listed in the Registry of Methods and Tools and to give suggestions for their use in a public health context. For more information on individual methods and tools included in the review, please consult the authors/developers of the original resources.

Relevance for Public Health

This method could be used to inform the development and implementation of a knowledge broker intervention in public health settings, with key lessons learned and activities and functions delineated for a knowledge broker.

Dobbin's framework guided the development of knowledge translation and exchange strategies used in this intervention (knowledge broker, tailored and targeted messaging, registry of research evidence). Characteristics of the innovation, organization, environment and individual interact with stages of innovation adoption. These inter-relationships influence dissemination and adoption of practice and policy change.

Who is involved

The knowledge broker is primarily responsible for assuming the roles and functions discussed. Recipients of this role would be participants in a knowledge translation and exchange activity facilitated by a knowledge broker.

Conditions for Use

Not specified

Evaluation and Measurement Characteristics

Evaluation

Has been evaluated. Through a randomized controlled trial, Dobbins et al. (2009) found that the knowledge broker intervention overall did not demonstrate a positive effect on the use of research evidence in public health organizations, although knowledge brokering was effective in organizations with a low organizational research culture. It is possible that the duration and intensity of the knowledge broker intervention (dose of the intervention) was insufficient to bring about change.

Validity

Not applicable

Reliability

Not applicable

Methodological Rating

Not applicable

Method/Tool Development

Developer(s)

Maureen DobbinsSchool of Nursing, McMaster University

Paula RobesonSchool of Nursing, McMaster University

Donna CiliskaSchool of Nursing, McMaster University

Steve HannaDepartment of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics and CANCHILD Centre,McMaster University

Roy CameronLyle Hallman Institute, University of Waterloo

Linda O'MaraSchool of Nursing, McMaster University

Kara DeCorbySchool of Nursing, McMaster University

Shawna MercerThe Guide to Community Preventive Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Method of Development

A stratified randomized controlled trial was conducted examining the impact of knowledge translation and exchange strategies (knowledge broker, targeted and tailored messaging, registry of research evidence) on the use of research evidence in public health organizations. The key activities of the knowledge broker and lessons learned were drawn from a daily journal kept by the knowledge broker of all interactions with staff and reflections. These were reviewed and coded by the knowledge broker and the first author to identify major themes and knowledge broker roles and functions.